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The GOP has long been known as the party of climate change denial, but some Republican lawmakers have been coming around to the idea that climate change is caused by human activity.

“I don’t think it’s a sign of weakness to evaluate new science, new information and new tech, and come to different conclusions,” said Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, one of a handful of Republican lawmakers hoping to push their party in the direction of addressing climate change.

Updated 1:10 p.m. | The White House is rejecting a Canadian company’s application to build the Keystone XL pipeline, sounding a death knell for the controversial project that has long pitted President Barack Obama against Republicans and the energy industry.

Obama on Friday criticized members of both parties for treating the proposal like a “campaign cudgel instead of a serious policy matter.” Ultimately, the president said he concluded the plan was “neither the silver bullet” for the U.S. economy nor a sure-fire cause of “climate disaster” as claimed by those on either side of the issue.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning an amendment to an upcoming spending bill that could put the brakes on the EPA's plans to implement new regulations on carbon emissions from existing power plants.

While it is unusual for the Kentucky Republican to appear at an Appropriations Committee gathering in person, he has maintained his seat and influence on the panel.